Overflow collection container for containing vehicle fluids

ABSTRACT

A device of the type capable of collecting and retaining multiple expelled vehicle fluids in the event that they are expelled from their engineered location in order to prohibit their release into the environment and for proper later disposal

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Applicant claims the benefits of provisional application No. 61/024,902 and date Jan. 30, 2008.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a method and apparatus that collects multiple ‘overflow’ or expelled motorized vehicle engine fluids, such as those used by a motorcycle, by means of a container, so that the fluids can be properly disposed of at a later time, and mitigate hazardous environmental and biological effects.

The overflowed or expelled fluids used by typical motorized vehicle engines are either carried away from the vehicle by means of transfer tubes for release into the environment, hereafter referred to as the “release method”, which presents hazardous effects to soil, plant and animal life, ground water and roads, or carried to rudimentary individual collection containers, hereafter referred to as the “rudimentary container method”, which do not efficiently use space on the vehicle, have an inappropriate volume, and present cumulative fastening and weight problems for the vehicle.

A problem associated with the “release method” is the hazardous effect of engine fluids to soil, plant life, ground water, travel-ways, such as roads and the biological effects it has on animal life.

The problems associated with the “rudimentary container method” is that it does not efficiently use space on the vehicle to locate the multiple containers for each fluid, often employs unsafe rudimentary “home-made” collection containers (example: flammable/meltable plastic soda bottles), and presents problems associated with the cumulative fastening and weight of the containers on the vehicle.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention uses a multi-chambered container for convenient collection and containment of multiple expelled engine fluids. Each fluid is contained within its own chamber of the container; each chamber has an opening for the fluid to enter, a vent opening, as applicable, for air pressure equalization, and an opening for the fluid to exit the container during the draining process.

The invention is designed/configured specifically for its intended use, for example: for use in vehicles such as motorcycles, powerboats, or cars, where the overall shape of the container and its related interior chambers can be designed to maximize the allowable space on the particular application or to meet the specific requirements of sanctioning organizations, such as The American Motorcycle Association, National Hot Rod Association, National Powerboat Association, etc.

In the event that the engine/vehicle are placed in an orientation that is outside of the parameters of normal operation or design, such as that in a crash or accident, the invention subsequently directs and collects individual overflowed and expelled engine fluids within their respective chambers of the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The drawings present the preferred form of the invention and constitute the best operational configuration, but it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements, materials, or thicknesses, or any of the like, shown.

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of the invention shown with typically associated details.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the typically associated details.

FIG. 3 is a pictorial view indicating improper orientation of an engine where prior art directed some or all of the overflowing fluids for release into the environment.

FIG. 4 is a pictorial view, in contrasting fashion to FIG. 3 with a similar vehicle orientation, indicating the collection and containment of the overflowing engine fluids.

FIG. 5 is a pictorial view of the invention with a ‘cut-away’ to show the interior sectioning chamber wall.

FIG. 6 is a pictorial view, similar to a blueprint, presented in the “Third-Angle Perspective”.

FIG. 7 is a pictorial view of the cross-section A-A representing a clear view of the interior sectioning chamber wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings in detail, where an items' first/primary representation is shown with an item numbered balloon and all subsequent representations are shown with a split balloon with a ‘REF’ in the bottom section. FIG. 1 shows the invention as item #1 with the holes necessary for mounting this particular configuration of the invention.

In the present configuration of the invention, various fittings are shown in FIG. 2 as indicated by items #5 and #8. Item #6 represents hoses used during the draining process where the fluids are drained from the containment areas. Item #7 represents hoses used to direct the overflowing or expelled fluids from the engine to the containment chambers, in this configuration of the invention.

As indicated by FIG. 3 showing how prior art would enable items #7 to release any number or all of the overflowed fluids directly into the environment. As noted with the ‘UP’ arrow, the angle and orientation of the tubing replicate the engine or similar, in a manner contrary to its intended operational orientation, for example: during or subsequent to a crash. In contrast to FIG. 3 is FIG. 4. FIG. 4 shows the same orientation as the prior figure, but with the addition of the presented invention. The overflowed or expelled fluids are contained within the invention and are not released into the environment. The drain lines in FIG. 4, shown as item #6, are prohibited from allowing fluid release with unrelated art.

The invention is not limited by the present configuration, being shown in FIG. 5, comprised of four details numbering: #1, 2, 3 and 4. During construction the details are affixed to one another with the means appropriate to create an enclosed container with sealed chamber(s) within and with the necessary mounting holes, item #8. The third-angle perspective drafting practices applied to FIG. 6 indicate the Front, Bottom, Right, Top, Left and Back views indicating the direction/faces/surfaces required to create the enclosure as noted with the triangular enclosed letters A, B, C, D, E, and F, respectively. The interior is partitioned with Item #3 as noted in section A-A in FIG. 7.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other equivalent structures, such as incorporating additional interior partitions or other drain arrangements, could be used with equal advantage.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential attributes. According, reference should be made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention. 

1. A device of the type capable of collecting and retaining multiple expelled vehicle fluids in the event that they are expelled from their engineered location in order to prohibit their release into the environment and for proper later disposal; where said device will have features that enable its mounting to/on the vehicle, where said device will connect to previously established drain lines, as applicable, to direct the vehicle fluids to their respective storage chambers/partitions within the invention, where said chambers/partitions will have, as necessary, a vent hole that may be directed above the containment level for means of pressure equalization of each chamber, and where said chambers/partitions will each have a means of inspection and subsequent drainage of any collected fluids. 